ECH is a chemical containing epoxy and chlorine element. It has characteristics such as moderate solubility in water, chiral nature, and miscibility in polar solvents owing to which it is used to manufacture epoxy resins and glues, plastics, glycerols, and elastomers. It is manufactured using glycerin and propylene as raw materials. Using propylene as feedstock, allyl chloride and allyl alcohol routes are employed to produce ECH. It can be manufactured through the allyl chloride route in two steps: addition of hypochlorous acid and reaction with base to give epoxide. In the other method, ECH is reacted with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether to obtain resins and polymers that are employed in end-user industries such as pharmaceutical and personal care. ECH is employed in end-user industries such as paints & coatings, textiles, electrical & electronics, agrochemicals etc.

Asia Pacific was the largest producer and consumer of ECH in 2014, owing to high demand for ECH-based products in China. Currently, China accounts for more than one-third of the global ECH market. In terms of volume, Asia Pacific is also the fastest growing region for ECH market owing to the rising demand for ECH in South Korea and Taiwan. Europe was the second-largest consumer of ECH in 2014. This can be ascribed to the increasing demand for this material in paints & coating applications in Germany. The ECH market in North America is anticipated to expand at a modest rate during the forecast period. However, regulatory concerns regarding the harmful effects of ECH on health and environment and decreasing profit margins of manufacturers are estimated to hamper the ECH market in the near future in the North America.
Paints & coatings was the largest end-user application of ECH market in 21014, owing to significant demand of ECH-based anti-corrosion coatings from the automobile market. Electronics & electrical accounted for more than 20% share of the total end-user segment owing to the increasing demand from the Japan and Taiwan in 2014. ECH based resins are used to manufacture adhesives which are further used in industries such as footwear, construction, automobile etc. Paper, Inks and Dyes displayed sluggish growth in 2014 owing to decrease in the demand of papers and inks from end-user industry. Textiles end-user segment is anticipated to grow at decent rate owing to increasing demand from Asia Pacific region during the forecast period. Furthermore, the application of ECH based resins is projected to soar in the water treatment industry during the forecast period. Hence, it is the likely to be fastest growing end-user industry for ECH market in the near future. Propylene accounted for the major share of the raw material in 2014. However, bio-based glycerin is projected to be the fastest growing raw material segment during the forecast period owing to its easy availability.

Increasing consumption of epoxy resins in end-user industries such as paints & coating is projected to drive the global ECH market during the forecast period. However, concern of regulatory bodies regarding harmful effects of ECH on health and environment is projected to hinder the growth of the global ECH market. Lucrative growth in glycerin based ECH is likely to act as an opportunity for the ECH market during the forecast period. Key players in the ECH market include Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Solvay, Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand), Osaka Soda , Spolchemie A.S., Shandong Haili Chemical Industry Co. Ltd (Haili), Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd, The Dow Chemical Company, Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Group Co., and Hexion Inc. The ECH market is concentrated; the top five players accounted for major market share in 2014. Key manufacturers focus on strategic mergers and portfolio enhancement to maintain their dominance in the global market.

This report analyzes and forecasts the market for epichlorohydrin (ECH) at global and regional level. The market has been forecast based on volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2015 to 2023. The study includes drivers and restraints of the global ECH market. It also covers the impact of these drivers and restraints on demand for ECH during the forecast period. The report also highlights opportunities in the ECH market at the global and regional level.

The report includes detailed value chain analysis, which provides a comprehensive view of the global ECH market. Porter’s Five Forces Model for the ECH market has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users are benchmarked based on market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.

The study provides a decisive view of the global ECH market by segmenting it in terms of end-users. These segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends in the market. Regional segmentation includes current and forecast demand for ECH in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The report also covers demand for ECH in end-user segments in all the regions.

The report provides the estimated market size of ECH for 2015 and forecast for the next eight years. The global market size of ECH has been provided in terms of volume and revenue. Market volume has been defined in kilo tons, while market revenue is in US$ Mn. Market numbers are estimated based on end-users of ECH. Market size and forecast for each major end-user are provided in terms of global and regional markets.

In order to compile the research report, we conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry participants and opinion leaders. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players’ product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research includes a search of recent trade, technical writing, Internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants’ insights, and recognizing business opportunities.